On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 19:58:04 -0500, Cheryl
wrote:

Kristine Kochanski dumped this in
on 28 Apr 2004:

I phrased that wrongly, I was trying to make the point (badly,
obviously!) that cats are territory-led and don't like being removed
from it. Dogs are used to going long walks, trips in the car, visits
with their owners.

This is only because this is what is done. It is accepted. IMO, cats could
adjust to this type of lifestyle, and some do take their cats everywhere
they go. It is stereotyping. Cats are, well, cats. Independent. Skittish.
Wild. I have no doubt that a cat started out as a kitten being used to
being treated like people treat dogs would adjust to it and thrive. But
that is shaping it in a way that is unnatural. Isn't that what was done
with dogs?

I totally agree that it's only 'normal' because we;ve made it that way
but it's probably that way reason - ie that dogs' natural behaviour
makes them easier to train.

I don't know, might be wrong. I walk my cats on leads and people think
it's insane/cruel yet they think it's normal for people to walk dogs
on leads (!), so I see where you're coming from. But I think there are
also more limitations, eg. cats get much more easily spooked than
dogs, so I wouldn't go into a busy area, or risk a dog attacking it.